Calories in Alligator

Calorie Table for Alligator & Crocodile

Please note: all calorie values are approximate

Compared to most other meats, farmed alligator or crocodile is low in fat, low in calories and high in protein. In particular it is low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat. In addition, alligator and crocodile meats are useful sources of niacin and vitamin B12. (Florida Department of Agriculture.)

A three ounce serving of cooked alligator contains approximately 200 kilo calories, of which about 27 calories come from fat. (By comparison, the leanest steak contains 170 calories per 3oz serving, of which 63 come from fat.) Alligator or crocodile are good food choices for anyone following a calorie-controlled weight loss diet.

Sources include: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, USA., and Australian Crocodile Farm Assoc, 2007.

DIET RECIPE: Alligator Jambalaya (Serves 4)

Recipe Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds prime cut alligator meat
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup chili sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped snow peas
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow squash
• 2 teaspoons ground thyme
• 1 teaspoon marjoram
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• cooked rice

Cooking Method

• Chop alligator meat into small pieces.
• Combine alligator meat and next nine ingredients in a glass dish.
• Cover and microwave on high for 6 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes.
• Combine vinegar and flour; mix well. Stir into alligator mixture.
• Cover and microwave on high for 4 additional minutes.
• Remove dish from microwave, and stir in green onions. Serve with rice.

Nutritional Values (Per serving)

Calories 255, calories from fat 27, total fat 3g, saturated fat .81g, cholesterol 82mg, total carbohydrate 21g, protein 39g.

Source for Alligator Recipe: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Facts About Calorie-Controlled Diets

A calorie-controlled diet is simply an eating plan with a calculated calorie content. A very-low-calorie diet (also called a very-low-energy diet, VLED) typically contains about 800 calories per day, based around a mixture of real food and meal-replacement shakes or bars. Low energy diets are usually used by very overweight or obese dieters, under medical supervision. A low-calorie weight loss diet for general use usually contains about 1200-1600 calories. High calorie diets, used by athletes and sportspeople who burn very large amounts of energy, may contain up to 10,000 calories.